Mike Williams
Articles
Asphaltene turned into graphene for composites
Rice University scientists are working on converting asphaltene, a carbon-rich resource, into useful graphene.
NSF grants support future of wireless
Rice University researchers received three grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of a larger effort to make wireless systems more intelligent and resilient.
2D boundaries could create electricity
Rice lab leads effort to generate thickness-independent piezoelectricity in atom-thick materials. 2D boundaries could be the key.
Spiders used as mechanical grippers for soft robotics
Researchers are showing how to repurpose deceased spiders as mechanical grippers that can pick up objects, which can be used for soft robotics.
Strain-sensing smart skin developed for monitoring large structures
Rice University researchers have developed strain-sensing smart skin that uses very small structures, carbon nanotubes, to monitor and detect damage in large structures.
Bumps could smooth quantum investigations
Rice University models show unique properties of 2D materials stressed by contoured substrates.
Process strips ammonia from wastewater
Researchers have developed a catalyst that can pull ammonia from low levels of nitrates that are widespread in industrial wastewater and polluted groundwater.
Lithium’s narrow paths limit batteries
Rice University study suggests stress among misaligned particles in typical cathodes limits flow.
Graphene on textured surface allows for 2D electron optics
Rice University scientists put forth the idea that graphene on a gently textured surface turns it into “pseudo-electromagnetic” devices.
Machine learning fine-tunes flash graphene
Rice University scientists are using machine-learning techniques to streamline the process of synthesizing graphene from waste through flash Joule heating.
Using sound to analyze laser-induced graphene in real time
Rice University researchers discovered that sound can be used to analyze the properties of laser-induced graphene in real time.
Urban mining for metals turns electronic trash into treasure
Flash Joule heating by Rice lab recovers precious metals from electronic waste in seconds, which could reduce hazardous waste and processing time. See video.
Odd angles make for strong spin-spin coupling for quantum technology
Rice University researchers have found an orthoferrite material showing uniquely tunable interactions that could have a major impact on quantum technology and sensing.
Laser-induced graphene process creates micron-scale patterns
Rice University researchers adapted its laser-induced graphene technique to make high-resolution, micron-scale patterns, which could benefit on-chip microsupercapacitors, functional nanocomposites and microfluidic arrays.
Neural nets used to rethink material design for batteries, more
Rice University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, researchers introduced are using machine learning predict the evolution of microstructures in materials, which could change how items like batteries and other structures are made.
Touchless temperature sensor developed
A touchless temperature sensor using infrared light to take a person's body temperature to detect COVID-19 and more has been developed by Rice University engineers. See video.
Refining tests for detecting COVID-19 in wastewater facilities
Rice University-led study evaluates methods to find signs of COVID-19 virus in municipal wastewater plants and have found a viable and consistent method for detection.
Theory accelerates push for spintronic devices
Rice University models help ID materials for advanced electronics, computer memories for spintronics.
Metallic nanoparticles could find use in electronics, optics
Rice University scientists extended their technique to produce graphene in a flash to tailor the properties of other 2D materials, which could be used in electronics and optics.
Electricity generated by temperature differences
Electricity generated by temperature differences doesn’t appear to be affected measurably by grain boundaries placed in its way in nanoscale gold wires.
How carbon nanotube fibers are becoming stronger
Wet-spun carbon nanotube fibers have doubled in strength and conductivity and this could lead to breakthroughs in a host of medical and materials applications.
Health students not hampered by distance, COVID-19 in innovation
Rice University, Malawi students design devices to help keep medical workers, public safe from COVID-19.
Adhesive tape improves lithium batteries’ performance, lifespan
Rice University researchers turned adhesive tape into a silicon oxide film improve lithium metal technology and make them last longer.
Excitons can be manipulated for electronic, quantum computing applications
Rice University researchers found that excitons can be manipulated in new and useful ways, which could be beneficial for electronic, spintronic and quantum computing applications.
Lab makes 4D printing more practical for robotics, biomedical implant applications
Rice University researchers have advanced the manufacture of complex shapeshifters for soft robots, biomedical implants with 4D printing.
Engineers develop methods for AI bottlenecks with machine-learning algorithms
Researchers at Rice University present energy-saving designs for data-intensive computer processing with machine-learning algorithms that can improve energy efficiency.
2D oxide flakes pick up electrical properties
Rice University lab detects piezoelectric effects in nanosheets due to defects, which could improve energy harvesting applications.
University physicists, engineers upgrading Large Hadron Collider sensors
Rice University physicists and engineers are working on improving machine vision sensors to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for better insights and information about the universe's inner workings.
Double-walled nanotubes have electro-optical advantages
Rice University calculations show double-walled nanotubes could be highly useful for solar panels and other nanoelectronics applications such as photovoltaics.
Nano strategy fights superbugs for wastewater plants
A three-step method developed by Rice University researchers to produce molecular-imprinted graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets can help catch and kill free-floating antibiotic resistant genes found in secondary effluent produced by wastewater plants.
Laser-induced graphene for flexible electronics
Scientists are using a very small visible beam to burn the foamy form of carbon into microscopic patterns, which could lead to wider commercial production of flexible electronics and sensors.
The dangers of pushing batteries too hard
Simulations by Rice University researchers shows too much stress in widely used lithium iron phosphate cathodes can open cracks and quickly degrade batteries.
Detours can improve batteries for electronics, solar energy storage
Scientists at Rice University’s Brown School of Engineering have discovered that placing specific defects could improve how lithium ions travel in batteries.
Greenhouse gases transformed into liquid fuel
Rice University researchers have found a common greenhouse gas could be repurposed in an efficient and environmentally friendly way with an electrolyzer that uses renewable electricity to produce pure liquid fuels.
Tunable 2-D material developed for optoelectronics, advanced computing
Rice University researchers are developing 2-D transition metal dichalcogenides, which could be useful for optoelectronic applications and quantum computing.
Universities receive NSF grants to boost minorities in STEM fields
Rice University, Texas Southern University (TSU) and the University of Houston (UH) have won an NSF grant to help increase the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing academic careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.
Researchers develop device that channels heat into light
Rice University scientists are designing arrays of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes to channel mid-infrared radiation and increase the efficiency of solar energy systems.
Flexible generators turn movement into energy
Rice University researchers have produced flexible devices that use laser-induced graphene, which are designed turn movement into electrical energy and could enable wearable, self-powered sensors and devices.
Flexible insulator developed for thermal conduction, energy storage
Researchers at Rice University have developed a nanocomposite that is designed to be a superior high-temperature dielectric material for flexible electronics, energy storage and electric devices.
Researchers develop portable hyperspectral camera for imaging, research applications
Rice University engineers are building a portable hyperspectral camera, Tunable Light-Guide Image Processing Snapshot Spectrometer (TuLIPSS), which allows researchers to instantly capture data across the visible and near-infrared spectrum.
Researchers develop technology for flexible electronics
Rice University scientists have developed a dielectric designed to help manufacturers looking to create flexible electronics.
Deep learning helps researchers understand new 2-D materials being discovered
Rice University engineers have developed faster techniques to model atom-flat materials for bottom-up design.
University wins grant to boost STEM education
The Rice University Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM) has won a $3 million National Science Foundation grant to help STEM faculty and staff enroll 20 greater Houston teachers.